How do I think? Hmmm... Let me think....

Well, after giving it some thought, I believe I've isolated my process.

First, a Topic is selected. I must admit that this level goes far beyond my understanding, and even beyond that of the most advanced studies of neurology and neurobiology. The very idea that should have feelings at all, or be concious of myself, goes way, way, way beyond me.

After I've got an area of focus, generally, I isolate factors for change. These are usually "what if?" in nature, such as,"How would that car look in green?" or "If I put an electromagnet near a radio, would I get only static?"
A range of possible results comes quickly, and I apply what I previously knew, things related to the Topic, to rule out some.
Then, a few filters are applied, for things like feasability, side effects, and morality.
In most cases, only one plan for action is decided upon. The process repeats, with the action to be preformed as the Topic. Soon, this derives the result: What do I do right now?

For example, to consider an example question:
Could I get away with not doing my blog entry?

1. Topics involved: Mr. Allen, Blogs, School
2. Area of change: Not doing homework
Possibilities may include:
A world with no homework (Infeasible)
Not doing it, and doing nothing else (Undesirable Side Effects)
"Whacking" Mr. Allen (Unethical, Undisirable Side Effects)
Skipping School (All of the above!)
Doing the post ( Passes QC! )
So, I focus on what it takes to actually do the post, and I end up right here at this little period.

NOW WHAT?

Best of Week: Kite Runner

This week, I thought the most interesting thing we did was design the TED project.

When I mentioned to my (non- Academy) friends how we'd collaborated, their immediate reaction was "Did you try to make it really easy, because you're gonna' have to do it?"

I would expect this of them, but it still got me thinking.
I told this anecdote:


There was a man, once, who was standing on the street when a man offered him his choice of $5 or $0.25. The man did not hesitate to select the quarter, and shocked, the second man gave it to him.
The next day, the second man told his co-workers of the fool, and they walked to see if there really was someone so stupid. Invariably, the quarter was chosen. Soon, children, adults, and passers-by would all come and gawk, and reward the man $0.25 for his efforts.
The man was no fool at all. If he had asked for $5, certainly, nobody would have given it to him, and he'd never have got all those quarters!


That's wisdom, right there.

I'm glad we get the opportunity to help design the project. Perhaps not looking forward to it, but if you can't have $5, the quarters are better than nothing.

Change of Mind: Kite Runner

When I was in class, Mr Allen kept returning to the scene with Hossini conversing with Amir, and I was impressed. I had always thought that a book just happened to an author, and the characters came with the package. But Mr. Allen proposed that the Character talked to the Author, and that the story didn't always occur first.

It was surprising, really. I had to consider how a book gets written, in an author's mind. It's not a Viola! A Compelling Narrative... It's a process of understanding the pieces and connecting them.

The penning of the work is not the point of its creation.


Mr Morgan sometimes said that "Ideas have consequences."
It would seem to be true here... The consequence is the writing, but the idea must drive it.

Even though beginning to type can spark an idea, no piece can get past a certain point without directions.

I suppose the best summary of my Change of Mind is what I've boldfaced.



This has been quite worthwhile, I feel.
=)